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ALMS: Series confirms race at Virginia International Raceway

January 16, 2012

The American Le Mans Series will visit Virginia International Raceway for a race on Sept. 15. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

As Autoweek first reported in early December, the American Le Mans Series will indeed race at Virginia International Raceway in 2012, the series confirmed on Tuesday. The ALMS will contest its first-ever race at VIR on Saturday, Sept. 15, with a four-hour endurance event.

The race also will mark the first competition on the track's 4.1-mile, 31-turn Grand Course. An ALMS statement said, “It's a safe bet that track speed records will fall at the hands of the world's most exotic prototype sports cars and premier production-based GT cars.”

ESPN2 will broadcast the race.

“For years we have received numerous inquiries from fans and competitors on when we would race at VIR. I'm proud to say that time is now,” said Scott Atherton, ALMS president and CEO. “Virginia International Raceway is an excellent addition to what no doubt will be a fantastic 2012 season for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Given VIR's history and acclaim as a world-class road-racing facility, this is a natural fit. We look forward to working closely with the VIR team to introduce their fans and lots of new ones to the fastest, toughest and most entertaining competition VIR has witnessed.”

VIR was built in 1957 and hosted its first race in August of that year--an SCCA event that attracted the likes of Carroll Shelby, Bob Holbert, Carl Haas and others. VIR also played host to the first IMSA GT race in 1971; Hurley Haywood and Peter Gregg drove a Porsche 914-6 to a victory over Dave Heinz's Chevrolet Corvette. Gregg and Haywood also won in the 1972 IMSA GT race at VIR.

The circuit closed in 1974 but reopened in 2000 after New York real estate developer and vintage racer Harvey Siegel acquired the track property in 1998. In addition to a repaving and widening of the circuit, VIR added resort facilities that include three hotel and multiple dining options. The track hosts numerous events during the course of a season, including sports cars, motorcycles and karting.

During the ALMS weekend, support races are scheduled to include the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites powered by Mazda, the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda and the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy MX5 Cup.

Tickets for the ALMS event at VIR will be available at www.virnow.com beginning on Feb. 1.